The future of childcare, education, community services and economic development were all placed firmly in the spotlight as East Sutherland and Edderton by election candidate Rebecca Machin outlined her vision for the ward during a public hustings event in Brora.

The Scottish National Party candidate, a retired Head Teacher and well known community volunteer, took part in the hustings organised by Brora Community Council on Thursday 18 June at Brora Community Centre.

Ms Machin appeared alongside Independent candidate John Murray and Conservative candidate Eva Short, while Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Gale and Reform UK representative John Coupland attended as substitutes for candidates unable to be present.

During the event, chaired by Duncan Phimister, candidates were asked what they hoped to achieve during the remaining eleven month council term and what lasting changes they would like to see over the next decade.

Reflecting on the challenges of a relatively short period in office, Ms Machin said:

“My partner always says, “people wildly overestimate what they can achieve in one year and wildly underestimate what they can achieve in five”.

“So, that’s why throughout this campaign I have been talking about what can be done in 11 months, because it is very limited.

“I can help ensure that childcare hubs get started.

“I can make sure that the schools are heard in their quest to improve education standards and I can ensure that the hubs which take people from our ward in Brora and Bonar Bridge have someone fighting to secure the funding they desperately need.

“If I can make a real dent on those issues, it will have been a very special 11 months.”

She also spoke about the financial realities facing Highland Council and the importance of collaboration between councillors if progress is to be made.

“In Highland education takes up 37%.

“Health and Social Care 27% of our budget.

“There is little to no fat to trim here.

“So, you’ve taken away 64% of the budget on statutory services before you begin.

“We therefore need to be honest about what is achievable and what is within our remit and reach.

“We also need to be team players because one councillor on their own is not going to be able to achieve those aims without the ability to persuade and work with others, not just within their own group but across parties and with all of the councillors representing this ward.”

Looking beyond the immediate term, Ms Machin said her longer term ambitions centred around strengthening communities by focusing on people, services and opportunities.

“For the longer term vision, I go back to The Sutherland Place plan which focusses, quite rightly, on People, Place and Prosperity

“You’ve heard a lot from me about Childcare, but that is because it is not only beneficial to the children and their parents, it is beneficial to the economy.

“HIE and businesses recognise that childcare is essential for recruitment and to fill jobs.

“If we keep the babies of today in Sutherland they will be the teenagers in our schools in 10 years time.

“I was at a meeting of the Sutherland Community Partnership recently and already conversations are being had about repurposing under used council buildings.

“These could be venues for childcare and youth work for instance.

“They are publicly owned so should be publicly used.

“Our school estate is due for upgrade through the Highland Council Investment Plan.

“In Ross-shire, the 3-18 campus includes St Duthus Special School.

“It’s wonderful and well equipped.

“But it is serving our Sutherland children and young people too.

“Youngsters from as far as Helmsdale, and as young as P1, are travelling every day to Tain.

“There are also wider achievement opportunities like Grow for Good and Café 11.

“Let’s support our third sector organisations to develop our own Sutherland versions.

“The term Points of Delivery (PODS) is already being discussed in the Sutherland Community Partnership but, in ten years, I would love to have services in each place, meeting the needs of all people and not at the whims of a market but by the people, for the people, where the people need the services, supporting that prosperity which keeps communities alive.

“For me it was always important to focus on people because that is what community is, I have also loved talking to folk; at their doors, at community councils, at meetings and events.

“Listening enables us to foster empathy, build connection and empower others, simply by paying attention and understanding other peoples’ perspectives we start the process of collaboration.

“And that is what this should be, a collaboration between you, the constituent, the councillor, your representative and the council, where the decision making takes place.

“I am an experienced listener who would work hard to ensure that every voice in East Sutherland and Edderton, from cradle to grave was heard at the table.”

Voters in East Sutherland and Edderton will go to the polls on Thursday 25 June to choose who will represent the ward for the remainder of the current council term.